Horatius Cocles defending the Pons Sublicius.

Drawing, pen, sepia ink and wash, 14,6 x 20 cm, laid paper, unsigned, pencil numbered "3" in the lower left corner, mod. pencil annot. at the bottom (minor stains and folding lines).

Mounted on Chinese paper, hinged, under passe-partout.

Dynamic scene figuring Publius Horatius Cocles, a Roman officer, who famously defended the Pons Sublicius from the invading Etruscan army in the late 6th c. BC. By defending the bridge, he and his companions were able to hold off the attacking army long enough to allow other Romans to destroy the bridge behind him, blocking the Etruscans' advance and saving the city.
Prov. E.W.C. (stamp not in Lugt).